GIS/AM/FM System, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority

Reliable Electric power in urban areas is a highly critical public service. A single point of failure can negatively affect millions of users. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) required an application that comprehensively managed complex data, especially information management functions. TO be useful to management and engineers, the electrical data had to be translated in to actionable insights.

Appointed by MEA to improve a database for electricity utility, CDG Group developed an applied program under GIS/AM/FM operation system and a data map with 1:1000 resolution for electricity bases and power supply system for 3 provinces (Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samutprakarn). To ensure comprehensiveness, we conducted field surveys and gathered orthophoto data and information from various agencies. For its innovative offering, this project was awarded for the outstanding Service and Data Management from the National Information Technology Committee in the 1st Government IT Week in 2000.

MEA set up a call center to support public inquiries, utilizing one contact point to provide convenient communication channels and increase service satisfaction. CDG had built the information system from the extension of the GIS/AM/FM operation system, and the basemap of MEA’s electricity distribution system, which covered inclusive information such as streets, routes, building locations, and points of interest. This remarkablesystem also won the second runner-up for the best public services from the National Information Technology Committee in the 1st Government IT Week in 2000.

The system has been improved even more; it can run on Windows and as a web application that integrates the data from GIS/AM/FM system and ERP system (SAP) of MEA. The development has enabled the systems to work more efficiently. It has provided users with tools and applications that yield greater convenience, more flexibility, and additional features. At the moment, the system is installed in several leading control rooms in Thailand.

In addition, MEA has also implemented GIS Net, a web service system which is a collaboration between MEA and CDG Group. GIS Net allows queries through a web service system under the same basis as GIS/AM/FM with a focus on providing basemap services for external parties. The system served as a channel to trade the basemap in both paper-based and digital form. It created business opportunities and generated new businessesincome for MEA.

Later, after MEA had been granted a license to operate a telecommunication business (the third type for 20 years) from the National Telecommunication Commission (the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission – NBTC in the present), MEA has upgraded communication lines in GIS, with the fiber optics for the Department of Communications and Computer Operation and the Geographic Information Division to integrate communication lines of MEA with those of other service providers, who had leased electric wires on the electricity pillars. This has enhanced MEA performance and created greater opportunities for telecommunication business in the future.

Applying the mapping technology and geography in several cases such as policy and operational analysis, operation supports and customer services, has significantly improved services from MEA. Previously, each SLA contact took more than half a day to complete; now the SLA contact takes 10-15 minutes on average. Besides winning two awards, the GIS solution has also been applied to day-to-day MEA operation with a consecutive term as agree in supports and maintenance contract.